Sometimes we want to walk alone because we want to do things our way. I often watch how people run ahead of themselves, and of God, and do their own thing. Then they stop and want God to catch up to what they have done in their own strength. Then one day when their own plans fail, they look to the Lord for a solution. Perhaps we need to go back to that point where we ran ahead of God and did our own thing – we can meet Him there and resume our path with Him from that point. When we walk with God it means that we walk according to His plan, we make sure that we follow His instructions, and we do it His way. Walking with God does not mean that He does it our way. God’s ways are always higher than our ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’
The implication is that God does not fit into our box, but we can fit into His unlimited plans. I believe that God is calling out to each one of us and He says: ‘Come, walk with Me!’ Walking with God brings great reassurance into our lives, especially when we reach those points in the road where different paths intersect, or when we reach a T-junction or even a dead end. At that point, all we need to do is to turn to Him and ask Him: ‘Which way are You going Lord, because I’m also going that way!’ In this way we will not be distracted by other options, regardless of how attractive they may appear.
STAY IN STEP WITH GOD
Have you ever gone for a walk with someone who has not walked in step with you? Walking in this way can be very frustrating. I often used to go hiking. It was a great activity, to be out in nature and walk and discover new places and see new vistas. I soon discovered that there were usually three groups of people in every hiking party. The fast ones, the normal ones, and the slow ones. For the ‘fast ones’ it was a race (a competition) to complete the distance. Their only thought was to get to the destination in the shortest possible time. The ‘normal ones’ kept pace and enjoyed the experience en route to the destination. The ‘slow ones’ frustrated everyone else and had to be constantly coaxed and encouraged towards the end goal. I learned that hiking was a skill that had to be acquired so that I could keep pace and enjoy the journey. I learned to appreciate the journey more than the destination. When we walk with God the same principles apply. We must not run ahead of Him, we must not hesitate and delay following Him, we must stay in step with Him. It is here that we will find the journey is not too demanding or too frustrating, but it is a joy and a delight, and we can know that we have nothing to fear. One aspect I have found difficult is that sometimes we have to wait for God. He is never in a hurry and His timing is always impeccable. Human beings, on the other hand, are always in a hurry and want everything to happen now. The waiting may seem unproductive and a waste of time, but if we are waiting with Him, and in His presence, no time is ever lost.
WHY SHOULD WE WALK WITH GOD?
1. Because nothing is too difficult with God.
Jeremiah 32:17 ‘Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!’
2. Because He will help you.
Isaiah 41:10 ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
3. Because He will never abandon you.
Hebrews 13:5 For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’
4. Because He is with us no matter what we face.
Psalm 23:4 ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…’
5. Because your end will be glorious.
Genesis 5:24 ‘Enoch walked with God, and then he disappeared because God took him away.’
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